Examination FAQs

The IBCLC examination is offered in March/April and September each year. The examination administration dates are listed on the Key Dates page. Please note that the March/April examination is only offered in the English language. The September examination is offered in all of the following languages.

British English is the foundation for all translations of the IBCLC examination. With respect to measurement, the IBCLC examination includes both metric weights and measures as well as US weights and measures, with the more prevalent metric measurement noted first, and with the US measurement noted second in a parenthetical, e.g., 30 mL (1 oz).

IBCLC Examination Languages

• Chinese Traditional
• Croatian*
• Danish
• Dutch*
• English
• French
• German
• Greek*
• Hungarian*
• Indonesian*
• Italian
• Japanese
• Korean
• Polish*
• Portuguese
• Slovenian*
• Spanish

* These languages are being discontinued for examination administration commencing in 2024. IBLCE is transitioning to focusing its efforts on the 10 most frequently administered examination languages/those which are financially sustainable. Moving forward, for the IBCLC examination to be translated into a language, whether new languages or those currently being discontinued, the requirements of the Translation of the IBCLC Examination into a Language Policy must be met.

The English, Spanish, and German applications are available online via the Credential Management System. Additional application languages are available on each translated IBLCE website section.

Our system accepts payment by credit card and prepaid credit card. Mastercard, VISA, and Discover cards are accepted. Payment is accepted in US dollars only. Payment in other currencies will be converted to US dollars based on the exchange rate for the date of transaction.

The Detailed Content Outline outlines the subject matter that is tested on the certification examination. Each item, or question, on the examination is referenced to a particular discipline and chronological period listed on the blueprint. An assessment guide is not currently offered.

Test centres are provided by a major testing vendor and appointments for a seat at the test centre of your choice must be made by you. IBLCE is one of many organisations for which the third-party testing vendor provides examinations at its test centres. For this reason, reservation blocks for IBCLC examination appointments are available for a specified period of time each year, and it is important that candidates take responsibility for making their appointments promptly. Information about scheduling deadlines will be provided to you in your examination authorisation email.

IBLCE works with both the third-party testing vendor and examination candidates to seat candidates as near as reasonably feasible to their home.  However, the availability of an appointment at a location near your home cannot be guaranteed.

In 2024, candidates testing in English may have the option to take the examination at home or other location via Live Remote Proctoring (LRP). Please check here to learn more. Learn more about your options and important considerations, including an Examination Day Notice,  for taking the IBCLC examination in 2024 here.

Both the April and September 2024 examinations will be administered at testing centres around the world. For those who are taking the examination in English, Live Remote Proctoring (LRP) will also be an option. Currently, LRP is offered only in English. Live Remote Proctoring will require the candidate to meet the technical and environmental criteria for testing in their home.   

Please review this graphic with your options.

The use of LRP has been approved for 2024 IBCLC examination administrations. Any use of LRP for IBCLC examinations in 2025 and beyond will be subject to further review.

You will receive an Examination Authorisation Email from IBLCE according to the timeframe for which you have been accepted for the IBCLC examination. This email will provide you with detailed information that you will need to schedule your appointment. Please do not attempt to schedule your examination appointment before receiving this communication. 

We will start sending Examination Authorisation Emails for the April 2024 IBCLC examination in February 2024. If you have any questions, please contact your regional location. 

IBLCE works with both the third-party testing vendor and examination candidates to seat candidates as near as reasonably feasible to their home.  However, the availability of an appointment at a location near your home cannot be guaranteed. The sooner you schedule your appointment for the examination, the wider your options will be. Although the test centre network is worldwide, in some limited situations, you may need to travel further from your home to a test centre.

In 2024, candidates testing in English have the option to take the examination at home or other location via Live Remote Proctoring (LRP). Please check here to learn more.

Learn more about your options and important considerations, including an Examination Day Notice, for taking the IBCLC examination in 2024 here.

You will select an available appointment with the testing vendor directly. After you have scheduled an appointment, you will receive a confirmation email which includes the location of the test centre where you are scheduled.  You may reconfirm the test centre location at any time using the testing vendor’s website.

In 2024, candidates testing in English may have the option to take the examination at home or other location via Live Remote Proctoring (LRP). Please check here to learn more.

Learn more about your options and important considerations, including an Examination Day Notice,  for taking the IBCLC examination in 2024 here.

IBLCE will send you an Examination Authorisation Email with detailed information about the scheduling process, including a link to the Prometric webpage where you can schedule your appointment online.  For some candidates, scheduling will need to be conducted by phone, so please consult your Examination Authorisation Email for specific instructions.  Before you schedule your examination appointment, please review IBLCE’s Examination Day Notice and contact your IBLCE location with any questions.  

You will need to have your eligibility number (provided in the authorisation email) available at the time of scheduling.

If your Examination Authorisation Email indicates that you can schedule your appointment online through the Prometric website, then we strongly encourage you to do so, as Prometric has been experiencing extended customer service phone call wait times. Scheduling through the online portal is the most time-effective method; questions or issues with this process can be submitted to Prometric through the contact form on their website.  

For some candidates, scheduling will need to be conducted by phone, so please consult your Examination Authorisation Email for specific instructions. 

No. You will not owe any money when you make your appointment directly with the testing vendor.

You can confirm your examination appointment time here with your confirmation number. If you still have questions, please contact Prometric directly. You can find contact information at the bottom of this page.

Rescheduling is possible until a date specified by IBLCE so long as appointments are available. Candidates may reschedule or cancel an examination appointment without penalty up to 30 days before the scheduled appointment date.  Within 5-29 days of the scheduled appointment, candidates will need to pay a $50 reschedule fee which will be paid directly to the third-party testing vendor by the candidate.  No rescheduling or cancelling is permitted within five days of a scheduled appointment.  If the candidates fails to appear for the scheduled test appointment, the test fee will be forfeited.

IBLCE has several options available to you regarding withdrawing or cancelling your examination appointment. Please see the full list of your financial options here.

Candidates should allow adequate time for arrival at the examination.

Candidates are required to arrive at the test centre 30 minutes prior to the scheduled appointment. This should give candidates adequate time to complete the necessary sign-in procedures. Candidates who arrive more than 30 minutes late for their appointment will be refused admission and examination fees will be forfeited.

Candidates taking the examination via Live Remote Proctoring (LRP) should launch their examination 30 minutes ahead of their scheduled examination time.

Candidates who arrive more than 30 minutes late for their appointment will be refused admission and examination fees will be forfeited. Likewise, candidates who fail to appear for their examination appointment will forfeit all rights to any refund of examination fees. Failure to make an appointment by the posted deadlines will result in the forfeiture of the examination fees paid.

Please contact the regional location that serves you as soon as possible with details about the nature of your emergency.

To gain admission to the examination, candidates must present TWO (2) forms of identification. The primary ID must be a valid, unexpired government-issued identification that includes the candidate’s name, current photograph, and signature,* and the secondary ID must have either their name and signature or their name and current photograph.

• The FIRST form of identification MUST be one of the following government-issued IDs:
  • driver’s license
  • international/national/regional/local identification card
  • passport
  • military identification card (IBLCE’s third-party testing vendor cannot accept military identification for LRP.)
  • green card, permanent residence card, or visa
• The SECOND form of identification MUST display the candidate’s name and signature or name and current photograph. Acceptable forms of secondary ID include but are not limited to:
  • credit card (not permitted for Live Remote Proctoring)
  • social security card (not permitted for Live Remote Proctoring)
  • employment/student ID card
  • professional license
  • health insurance cards

*If your primary government-issued identification contains your photograph but not your signature, your second form of identification (e.g., an employee ID card or credit card) must contain your signature to supplement your photo-bearing, government-issue ID.

Please note: only IDs in English will be accepted for LRP examinations. 

The names on the IDs must match and must be the same name as the one on file with IBLCE on the day of your appointment. Name changes can be made with IBCLC Programme staff by the posted deadline.

If your name does not match what is on file on examination day, you will not be able to sit the examination and will forfeit all examination fees.

The IBCLC is a professional credential.  Security is important to the integrity of the credential. IBCLCs’ work impacts the health of infants and parents, and therefore verification of their knowledge is of great importance.  Additionally, a great deal of expertise, time, and resources go into the development of examination questions or items.  Certification professionals estimate that typically the value of examination items is approximately $2,000 USD per item.  Security is important both to the health and safety of the public as well as to the health of the certification board which develops the examination items. 

You may bring bottled water and/or a small snack to the test centre, but you will be required to keep the water and snack in your assigned locker, along with your purse, backpack, mobile phone, and other personal belongings. Please ask the test centre administrator about where you are permitted to eat and drink. Liquids can damage keyboards and other computer equipment so you may not have any liquids at your examination station.

If you are taking the examination via Live Remote Proctoring (LRP), please check here for more information.

Yes, for candidates taking the IBCLC examination at a test centre, you may take up to two unscheduled breaks to use the restroom. You will not be given any additional time on the examination to make up for the time used. You can also use the ten-minute scheduled break granted between Part 1 and Part 2 of the examination. When you return from the restroom, you will be required to go through the check-in process again for the test administrator to re-admit you to the examination.

If you are taking the examination via LRP, you may only leave your workspace during the scheduled break; you may not take an unscheduled break. Even during your scheduled break, you may leave the view of your webcam only after you have been acknowledged by your proctor. Please contact your remote proctor before leaving your workspace or if you have any questions about LRP rules to avoid dismissal from the examination. After your scheduled break, you will be required to go through the check-in process again to be re-admitted to the examination.

The examination is composed of multiple-choice questions with a stem and four response choices.  You must select the best response of the choices provided. The examination is given in two parts, and once you have completed Part One, you may not go back to that part. Most questions in Part Two are associated with an image.

The standard IBCLC examination appointment is four hours’ duration. This includes time allocated for reading the non-disclosure agreement, an optional system tutorial, one scheduled break, and the examination content. Additional testing time may be provided for those with documented reasonable accommodations. Thirty (30) extra minutes of time are allocated to the examination content for test takers who attest on the application that their primary language is not among those into which the IBCLC examination is translated.

Yes. You will be permitted to review questions in each examination session. The examination is administered in two parts, and you will be able to review questions in each part of the examination, i.e., once you have submitted Part 1, those questions can no longer be reviewed, nor answers revised.

You will not be allowed to use your mobile/cell phone or electronic devices during the examination or during any breaks that you take during the examination administration. Candidates found in possession of and/or using such devices during the examination or during breaks will be dismissed and their examinations will not be scored. Candidates who bring their cell phones or other electronic devices to the examination must power them off (putting them on silent/mute is not sufficient) and store them for the duration of the examination.

At a test centre, candidates must store electronic devices in the locker designated by the test administrator/Examination Proctor.

More information about preparing your workspace for a Live Remote Proctored examination can be found here.

[Please note: Neither the test administrators/Examination Proctors nor IBLCE are responsible for candidates’ personal property.]

No. IBLCE offers computer-based testing (CBT) for the examination worldwide.

As a credentialling organisation, IBLCE and the IBCLC Commission are devoted to public health and safety and therefore there is a fundamental public interest in assuring that professional certification examination scores are valid and reliable, and that the integrity of the items is maintained. IBLCE strives to and the IBCLC Programme has been recognised for over thirty years as maintaining high standards of testing and operates under standard policies, procedures, and guidelines to see that score results and examination outcomes accurately and correctly represent the competency of the examination candidate.

Monitoring occurs for both examination irregularities and potential sharing of examination content. Related to these activities, the IBCLC Commission reserves the right to cancel the examination scores of candidates if observed transmission of examination items and/or statistical analysis identifies any examination irregularities.

During the application process, candidates expressly acknowledge and agree to have read and are subject to the Code of Professional Conduct for International Board Certified Lactation Consultants and the Disciplinary Procedures.

Applicants also agree to the following at the time of application:

· “Expressly understand and agree that, without limitation, IBLCE may deny, revoke, suspend or otherwise take action with regard to your eligibility for certification or recertification in the case of: irregularity in connection with any IBCLC examination…”

To gain admission to the examination, candidates must present TWO (2) forms of identification.

The primary ID must have the candidate’s name, current photograph, and signature,* and the secondary ID must have either their name and signature or their name and current photograph. Review the details of these requirements in the Candidate Information Guide.

*If your primary government-issued identification contains your photograph but not your signature, your second form of identification (e.g., an employee ID card or credit card) must contain your signature to supplement your photo-bearing, government-issue ID.

Please note: If you are taking the examination via LRP, you may not use a bank/credit card, social security card, or military identification card as a form of ID.

The names on the IDs must match and must be the same name as the one on file with IBLCE. Name changes can be made with IBCLC Programme staff by the posted deadline.

If your name does not match what is on file on examination day, you will not be able to sit the examination and will forfeit all examination fees.

When you arrive at the test centre, you will need to register with the test administrator, your identification will be inspected, and you will be asked to sign in. In addition, you will be required to store your personal items (e.g., jewellery, watches, bags) in a locker for which you will be provided a key. You may want to consider leaving valuable or other treasured items at home if you are not comfortable leaving them in a locker.  Much like the airport, you will be required to undergo wanding with a hand-held device or to walk through a metal detector.  This is an important security step to protect the integrity of the examination content and the certification. Wanding allows for the detection of concealed, prohibited items that candidates may have on their person.  This scanning must be performed for all candidates unless the candidate has an implanted medical device such as an insulin pump or pacemaker that is documented by a medical card. You will be asked to demonstrate that your pockets are empty. Candidates who are wearing a cast due to a fractured limb may be subject to inspection, as are candidates with tattoos. Please understand that these measures are part of standard test centre security procedures.

Please note: candidates will be asked to agree to Test Centre Regulations upon arrival to the test centre. If a candidate does not comply with these regulations, then they may be dismissed from the examination with forfeiture of the examination fees paid, including invalidation of the test score and/or pursuit of civil or criminal charges.

IMPORTANT: Please review test centre policies here.

Learn more about your options and important considerations, including an Examination Day Notice, for taking the IBCLC examination in 2024 here.

Prometric is taking measures at test centres due to COVID-19. These measures are based on recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control (U.S.) and the World Health Organization (WHO) and updated based on the regulations of the local jurisdiction at the time. Below is an overview of these and we encourage you to check Prometric’s website frequently for updates, including in the days leading up to your examination date.  

• Please note that IBLCE is continuing to require the wearing of masks by examinees while taking the IBCLC examination at testing centres. Candidates are required to wear masks or face coverings for the entirety of their time at the test centre, as well as complying with any other federal or local requirements in place at the time of testing.
  • Please note: you may need to lower/remove your mask briefly, when instructed, for a photo as part of the security check-in process.
• To help ensure the protection of its employees and test takers and to remain in compliance with governmental mandates and recommendations from the CDC, WHO, and Johns Hopkins University, safety practices will be enacted throughout the testing process and will be compliant with local government guidelines. Please note that due to local and regional mandates in some regions, a limited number of Prometric test centres will require candidates to present proof of vaccination in order to test. Candidates required to present vaccination documentation should bring forms provided to them by their healthcare provider at the time of vaccination.
• For candidates who are planning to travel to another state, province, or country to take your examination, please review Prometric’s travel advisory notice here.
• All surfaces and materials (e.g., desks, pens, etc.) are regularly cleaned between examination sessions, and scratch paper will be provided instead of note boards.   

IMPORTANT NOTE: Candidates entering the test centre will by that act be agreeing to wear a mask or face covering and attesting to the following as posted on a door sign:  

• You have experienced any symptoms of COVID-19 or the flu or cold-like symptoms in the 10 days prior to your scheduled examination, plus 3 days after symptoms cease,
• You have tested positive for COVID-19 in the 10 days prior to your scheduled examination, plus 3 days after symptoms cease,
• You have been exposed to someone diagnosed with COVID-19 in the past 10 days,
• You have returned from travel from a highly infected area within the preceding 10 days.*

* If you are planning to travel to another state, province or country to take your examination, please be advised that you should check for any travel advisories issued by the appropriate governmental authorities before your travel begins. In some cases, regulations require mandatory self-imposed quarantine based on where you traveled from. It is the responsibility of each individual to comply with travel and quarantine restrictions applicable to them given their individual circumstances. Test centres reserve the right to turn away any candidate who is noncompliant with local regulations.

Note that Prometric updates these as appropriate, so please review the Prometric website and the COVID-19 processes regularly leading up to your appointment day.  You can also view the information that the World Health Organization has published about international travel in relationship to COVID-19.  

If you have any questions about this process and/or about your ability to meet these requirements, please contact your IBLCE location.  

If you are taking the examination in English, your computer passes the System Readiness Check, and your workspace meets the environmental criteria, then you would be eligible to choose LRP. Review the information about your examination options here.

Further information about taking the IBCLC examination with LRP can be found here.

Yes, you may still take the examination at a test centre with the approved breast/chestfeeding break.  IBLCE works closely with the testing vendor to secure a private location for you to breast/chestfeed or pump.  The private location may be a private room or a privacy tent. The testing vendor and IBLCE will work with you to locate the testing centre that is closest to your home that can offer a breast/chestfeeding accommodation. Please refer to your Examination Authorisation Email for additional information.  

Yes, the test centre will provide you with all the equipment and materials you need to take the IBCLC examination.

If you take the examination via Live Remote Proctoring (LRP), you must provide your own equipment. Learn more about the technical and environmental requirements for LRP here.

The IBCLC is a professional credential, and examination security is important to the integrity of the credential. IBCLCs’ work impacts the health of infants and parents, and therefore verification of their knowledge is of great importance. Please carefully read the IBCLC examination administration rules:

• A visual inspection will be conducted before you start the examination as part of the security protocol.
• We recommend you do not bring any personal items into the test centre. If you do, you will be required to store all personal items in a location designated by the test centre administrator. This may include your watch and jewellery. Mobile/cell phones or other electronic devices brought to the site must be powered OFF and cannot be turned on at all during the entire length of the examination, including breaks. The test centre administrator is not responsible for candidates’ personal property.
• Candidates found in possession of electronic devices of any kind, phones, or study guides during the examination or during breaks will be immediately dismissed and their examination will not be scored.
• Only pre-approved comfort aids or pre-approved medical aids/devices are permitted into the testing room. Please check your pre-approved accommodations listed in your Examination Authorisation Email.
• Candidates who finish the examination early may leave the examination site. The test centre administrator will give specific instructions about exiting the examination area.
• Questions concerning the examination content are not permitted. Test centre administrators are not allowed to provide interpretation or clarification of examination questions and/or define words.
• Talking to or communicating in any way with another examination candidate is not permitted during the examination.
• Cheating will not be tolerated and, if discovered, will result in a candidate’s scores being cancelled or certification being revoked in accordance with policies and procedures and/or legal action against the candidate, including criminal prosecution.
• Candidates may not leave the test centre during the examination administration or breaks; leaving the test centre will result in an immediate dismissal from the examination.
• Written notes, published materials, and other testing aids are strictly prohibited during the examination and during your scheduled break.
• You will be asked to agree to all the testing vendor’s testing regulations before your examination. Failure to comply with these regulations may result in dismissal from your examination.
• If your examination is interrupted for any reason, you may attempt to resume your examination. However, if you are not able to resume your examination within a reasonable time, you will be deferred to the next examination window in fairness to all candidates and to protect the integrity of the IBCLC examination.

Please review the Candidate Information Guide or Recertification Guide for more information about candidate conduct during the IBCLC examination.

You can learn more about important rules for taking the IBCLC examination via LRP here.

For those who are taking the examination in English, Live Remote Proctoring (LRP) will be an option.  Currently, LRP is offered only in English. LRP will require the candidate to meet the technical and environmental criteria for testing in their home. 

Please view this graphic with your options. 

The use of LRP has been approved for 2024 IBCLC examination administrations. Any use of LRP for IBCLC examinations in 2025 and beyond will be subject to further review.

Further information about taking the IBCLC examination with LRP can be found here.

LRP allows you to take a professional, computer-based test on your own computer equipment in your home, or other location that meets the workspace criteria, with security and testing practices in place that are similar to that of a testing centre.  

All examinations are continuously monitored to ensure the validity of the results. 

As an LRP test taker, you are not alone: if you have a question (not related to the examination content) or need support, you can contact your Remote Proctor at any time. 

Prometric will provide you with detailed information in your appointment confirmation email that will explain how to download and install the testing vendor’s ProProctor application, as well as give you an in-depth overview of the process.  

The LRP experience will be similar to your experience at a test centre.  After you launch the examination application, you will start with check-in and security measures (a Readiness Agent will check your environment and person).

Once you start your examination, your device will be locked so you only have access to the test items. During the examination, candidates may flag questions within each section for review and return to them later. For the purpose of making notes, candidates may access electronic scratch paper.

You may only leave your workspace during the scheduled break; you may not take an unscheduled break when taking the examination via LRP. Even during your scheduled break, you may leave the view of your web-camera only after you have been acknowledged by your proctor. Please contact your remote proctor before leaving your workspace or if you have any questions about LRP rules to avoid dismissal from the examination.

You will be on web-camera with the remote proctor for the entire time of your examination.

For further information regarding IBCLC examination policies and examination format, please see the examination FAQs on our website for more information.

If you have a question during your examination (not related to examination content), you will be able to contact your Remote Proctor at any time.  

LRP does include a readiness and security check before you begin the examination. Be prepared for Prometric to take pictures of your two unexpired IDs. The primary ID must be a valid, unexpired government-issued identification that includes your name, current photograph, and signature,* and the secondary ID must have either your name and signature or your name and current photograph.

*If your primary government-issued identification contains your photograph but not your signature, your second form of identification (e.g., an employee ID card or credit card) must contain your signature to supplement your photo-bearing, government-issue ID.

Please note: If you are taking the examination via LRP, you may not use a bank/credit card, social security card, or military identification card as a form of ID.

You must also show the Readiness Agent a view of the entire workspace where you will be taking the examination. For examination security purposes and is typical in the professional testing industry, your Readiness Agent will also ask you to stand up to do a scan of your person. You will be required to show your ankles, empty and turn all pockets inside-out, and raise shirt sleeves above your wrists. If you are wearing eyeglasses you will be required to remove them for visual inspection.   

Before checking in to the examination, clear your workspace, remove any large jewellery, empty your pockets, and pull your hair back. Make sure to have the two forms of government-issued identification on hand. This will help to reduce the amount of time it takes to get through your security check.

You may only leave your workspace during the scheduled break; you may not take an unscheduled break when taking the examination via LRP. Even during your scheduled break, you may leave the view of your webcam only after you have been acknowledged by your proctor. Please contact your remote proctor before leaving your workspace to avoid dismissal from the examination. When you return from your scheduled break, the proctor will repeat the security check of your workspace and person.

Other information regarding prohibited items and actions will be provided with the in-depth view of the testing process when you receive your appointment confirmation email. 

The IBCLC is a professional credential, and examination security is important to the integrity of the credential. IBCLCs’ work impacts the health of infants and parents, and therefore verification of their knowledge is of great importance. Please carefully read the IBCLC examination administration rules:

• Candidates must not leave the examination workspace.  The only time permitted for a break is in between Part 1 and Part 2 of the examination. Candidates must alert the proctor before moving away from the web-camera during the break and after finalising the examination. Leaving the view of the web-camera without acknowledgement from the proctor, including during your scheduled break, will result in an immediate dismissal from your examination.
• No third party, including other people or pets, may be present in the room or enter the room during the examination. If this occurs, your examination will be terminated.
• Turning off lighting or computer audio, moving from your original testing location, or speaking to or receiving aid from other individuals is strictly prohibited and will result in immediate dismissal from the examination.
• A visual inspection will be conducted before you start the examination as part of the security protocol.
• Candidates found in possession of electronic devices of any kind, phones, or study guides during the examination or during breaks will be immediately dismissed and their examination will not be scored.
• Candidates may not take any of the following items into the examination workspace: watches, jewellery, notebooks, textbooks, course notes or loose notes, bags, hats, purses, briefcases, calculators, wearable technology, audio equipment, cameras, laptop computers (you may use a laptop to complete the examination via LRP but may not have a second laptop in your workspace), drinks, and food.
  • Candidates may have water in a clear bottle, which will be inspected. No other food or drinks are permitted.
• Light clothing items removed for comfort such as sweaters, suit jackets, scarves, etc., must be hung on your chair, not placed in your lap or on the workstation desktop. Outerwear such as heavy coats, parkas, raincoats, etc., is not permitted in the immediate testing area.
• Only pre-approved comfort aids or pre-approved medical aids/devices are permitted into the workspace. Please check if you have pre-approved accommodations listed in your Examination Authorisation Email. 
• Questions concerning the examination content are not permitted. Remote proctors are not allowed to provide interpretation or clarification of examination questions and/or define words.
• Cheating will not be tolerated and, if discovered, will result in a candidate’s scores being cancelled or certification being revoked in accordance with policies and procedures and/or legal action against the candidate, including criminal prosecution.
• Eating, drinking, smoking, and chewing gum are prohibited during the examination.
• Written notes, published materials, and other testing aids are strictly prohibited during the examination and during your scheduled break.
• You are not to read aloud while taking the examination.
• You will be asked to agree to all the testing vendor’s testing regulations before your LRP examination. Failure to comply with these regulations may result in dismissal from your examination.
• Candidates are required to be professional, civil, and respectful at all times while testing.
• Candidates who finish the examination early may leave the workspace. The proctor must be alerted.
• If you encounter technical difficulties or your examination is interrupted for any reason, you may attempt to resume your examination. However, if you are not able to resume your examination within thirty minutes, you will be deferred to the next examination window in fairness to all candidates and to protect the integrity of the IBCLC examination.

You will need the following system requirements to be able to take the IBCLC examination with Live Remote Proctoring: 

• Computer/Laptop: You may use a laptop or desktop computer. Dual-monitor configurations are not permitted (i.e., a desktop with two monitors or a laptop with a separate monitor.) *iPad/Android tablets and Chromebooks are not currently supported. Microsoft Surface or similar can be used only when configured in laptop mode.
• Web-Camera: You will need a movable web-camera for the check-in process. A web-camera in a laptop is acceptable, as long as you are able to move the laptop to show the entire room. You may not have more than one web-camera in use at the same time. Using a mobile device as a web-camera is not supported.
• Web-Camera Resolution: 640 X 480 p
• Power Source: A laptop/PC plugged directly into a power source, not attached to a docking station.
• Screen Resolution: 1024 x 768 minimum resolution; 1920 x 1080 resolution recommended
• Operating System: Windows 8.1 or higher / MacOS 10.13 or higher except for 13.0 through 13.2.1 and 14.0. (ProProctor currently does not support Linux products.) Please note: Please upgrade to the latest version of MacOS Ventura; MacOS Sonoma is not supported.
• Web Browser: current version of Google Chrome
• Internet Connection Speed: 1.0 Mbps or greater
• Internet Connection: Your internet connectivity can be impacted by a number of factors. If you are using Wi-Fi, please position your device where you have a strong signal. For the best experience, use an Ethernet cable to connect directly to the router. Mobile hot-spots are not able to be used.
  • Wi-Fi provided by a mobile phone hotspot will not be an option as mobile phones are prohibited from the testing environment.
  • VPNs and virtual machines are also not supported.
  • If possible, limit other family members from using up internet bandwidth during your examination with streaming services, social media, etc.
• Audio Hardware: Working speakers and microphone required, wired headphones and microphone allowed.

To check your if your system meets these requirements, you can click here for a System Readiness Check.  

IBLCE recommends performing a System Readiness Check before scheduling for an LRP examination. You will also need to download the ProProctor proctoring software before your examination day.  Prometric will provide an appointment confirmation email with details about this process.  

If you encounter technical difficulties during your examination, please contact Prometric. You may attempt to resume your examination. However, if you are unable to resume your examination within within thirty minutes, you will be deferred to the next examination window in fairness to all candidates and to protect the integrity of the IBCLC examination.

While many candidates will prefer to take the examination from home, you can take your examination anywhere that meets the workspace criteria below: 

• Testing location must be indoors (walled), well lit, free from background noise and disruptions.
  • No additional screens are permitted in the room with you, including televisions. If you cannot remove an additional screen, it can be covered.
  • Note that taking the examination in a space with hotel airwalls or cubicle walls is not permitted.
  • If taking the examination from a company office, windows and/or glass doors must be covered or contain frosted glass to eliminate distractions and prevent outside viewing.  If testing from a personal space (home office, hotel, etc.), you should cover windows and/or glass doors.
• No third party may be present in the room or enter the room for the duration of the examination. If this occurs, you will be dismissed from the examination. Note that for breast/chestfeeding accommodations, these breaks will be taken out of the view of the web-camera.
• Your workspace and surrounding area must be free of pens, paper, electronic devices, etc. No content that could potentially provide an unfair advantage during your examination, including that posted on walls or within your immediate area, can be present during your examination session. 
  • An electronic scratch pad will be provided during the examination.
  • Two tissues are permitted at your workstation but must be inspected by the proctor prior to the start of your examination.
  • Candidates may have water in a clear bottle, which will be inspected. No other food or drinks are permitted.
• Please note that testing via LRP requires downloading the ProProctor software to a computer, so if you are using a computer that is not your own, check to see if this is possible to do on the computer you will be using.

Please note: To preserve the integrity of the IBCLC credential and to provide appropriate separation between IBLCE and educational organisations/individuals who offer test preparatory materials or training, candidates sitting via Live Remote Proctoring (LRP) are not to take the IBCLC examination in a location that is owned or operated by an educational entity that offers IBCLC test preparatory materials or training courses.

When choosing to sit the examination via LRP, it is the responsibility of the candidate to find a location that meets the workspace criteria noted above. We cannot assist in securing a testing location that meets the requirements for LRP examination administration. If a candidate is unsure if their workspace will meet the workspace testing requirements or is unable to find an appropriate location, they should plan to sit the examination at a testing centre.

Your workspace and surrounding area must be free of pens, paper, electronic devices, etc. No content that could potentially provide an unfair advantage during your examination, including that posted on walls or within your immediate area, can be present during your examination session. 

You may have two tissues at your workstation.

If you need access to additional items for medical reasons, please contact your regional location to request a specific accommodation. The items listed here are permissible without a specific accommodation, but will be inspected during your security check. 

Review LRP FAQ #5 above to learn what is and isn’t permitted during an LRP examination.
Review LRP FAQ #8 above to learn about where you can take an LRP examination.
Review LRP FAQ #13 below to learn about LRP system requirements here.

There is one scheduled break between Part 1 and Part 2 of the examination. You may only leave your workspace during the scheduled break; you may not take an unscheduled break. Even during your scheduled break, you may leave the view of your web-camera only after you have been acknowledged by your proctor. Please contact your remote proctor before leaving your workspace or if you have any questions about LRP rules to avoid dismissal from the examination.  If you leave the view of your web-camera during your scheduled break, you will be required to go through the check-in process again to be re-admitted to the examination.

You are not permitted to access electronic devices, such as mobile phones, or study guides at any time during your examination, including during your break.

Additionally, while many accommodations are possible when choosing to test via LRP, extra breaks are not permitted. Candidates with an approved accommodation allowing additional unscheduled breaks during the examination are required to test at a testing centre.

Please submit this change to the regional location that serves you as soon as possible.

You will need a laptop or desktop with a single monitor. Dual monitors are not permitted. Tablets may not be used with LRP. Microsoft Surface or similar can be used only when configured in laptop mode. Please see the FAQ #6 above (“What do I need to do to set up my computer system for success with Live Remote Proctoring?”) for additional information on how to set up your computer system for success for LRP. 

Mobile phones are not permitted in the examination room/at your workspace for the IBCLC examination, whether you are taking it at a test centre or via LRP. Candidates found in possession of and/or using such devices during the examination or during breaks will be dismissed and their examinations will not be scored. 

Additionally, Wi-Fi from mobile phone hot spots is not always reliable. Please see the FAQ #6 above: “What do I need to do to set up my computer system for success with Live Remote Proctoring?” for additional information on how to set up your computer system for success for LRP and to complete a system check.

LRP scheduling is based on proctor availability. We recommend that you request your appointment as soon as possible after receiving your IBCLC Examination Authorisation Email.  

The process is very similar to scheduling in a test centre, but you will select a time and not a location.  There will be a section on the IBLCE homepage of the Prometric website for scheduling a remote proctored examination. 

During the appointment selection process, you will be required to select a time zone.  Please note that your appointment time will be set using 24-hour clock in the selected time zone.

You can confirm your examination appointment time here with your confirmation number. If you still have questions, please contact Prometric directly. You can find contact information at the bottom of this page.

Yes, you may use LRP and take a breastfeeding break. Please note that you will of course be taking the break outside of the view of the webcam. Specific information regarding this accommodation will be included in your Examination Authorisation Email if you have been approved for a breast/chestfeeding break.  

You can find the Procedures for Breast/Chestfeeding During Examination Administration here.

Many accommodations are possible for use with LRP.  Specific information regarding your approved accommodations will be included in your examination authorisation email. 

Examination cut scores (pass/fail criteria) are established using standard psychometric procedures that involve peer-based judgement about the level of performance expected of an IBCLC. As the IBCLC Commission is a certification body, it is devoted to public health and safety and therefore there is a fundamental public interest in assuring that professional certification examination scores are valid and reliable, and that the integrity of the items is maintained. The IBCLC certification programme has been recognised for over thirty years as maintaining high standards of testing and operates under standard policies, procedures, and guidelines to see that score results and examination outcomes accurately and correctly represent the competency of the examination candidate.

Examination results become available in the online credential management accounts approximately 12 weeks after the end of the examination window.

April examination: certification start date of July 1

September examination: certification start date of January 1

After candidates have spent so long preparing for the IBCLC examination, we very much understand that candidates are anxious to receive their results as soon as possible. However, it takes some time for results to be finalised – and this is for two reasons which ultimately are for the benefit of IBCLCs and candidates.

The IBCLC is a truly global credential. With nearly 36,000 IBCLCs worldwide in 131 countries, the IBCLC is highly visible around the globe and represents the gold standard in lactation care. As a world-recognised credential, many breastfeeding families seek to work with professionals who are IBCLCs. To score a professional examination for a global programme means that the examination must be scored in all the languages in which the examination is offered. In the case of the IBCLC, this constitutes 17 languages.

Once the examination administration closes, the post-administration analysis begins. The IBCLC examination results are reviewed item by item. Any item that performed unexpectedly goes to subject matter experts (SMEs) for further review. This careful review takes time, but, ultimately, it is to provide the most fair and accurate results to IBCLC test-takers.

The IBCLC is a truly global credential which requires careful review in all the languages in which it is offered and to facilitate fairness and accuracy of results.

The one-sided score report is a summary of your individual performance in each of the scientific disciplines (objectives) that were tested. In the column “Your Score” the number is the number of points (items) you answered correctly. In the “Max Score” column, the number is the total number of points (items) in that category. This analysis will help you to identify your particular areas of strength and weakness and to plan for your continuing education.

The content area scores by discipline on the score report are not used to determine pass-fail decision outcomes.  They are only provided to offer a general indication regarding candidate performance in each content area. The examination is designed to provide a consistent and precise determination of a candidate’s overall performance and is not designed to provide complete information regarding a candidate’s performance in each content area.  Candidates should remember that areas with a larger number of items (questions) will affect the overall score more than areas with a fewer number of items.  The precision and consistency of scores diminishes with fewer items, and therefore, sub-scores should be interpreted with caution, especially those that correspond to content areas with relatively few items.

You will be able to apply to resit the examination at the next examination seating in that language. If you are taking the examination in English, then you have the option of the April or September examination. If you are taking the examination in a non-English language, you will be able to apply to sit the September examination. Information about reapplying will be provided at the time of the examination results. If you don’t pass the IBCLC examination, then you are eligible to receive a 50% discounted examination fee for the next three examination attempts or up to three years following the first time you don’t pass. Both initial and recertification examination candidates are eligible for the discounted rate. The fee amount can be found in the Fee Guide.

There will be a new retest policy effective beginning with applications for the September 2024 administration. Learn more here.

The impact of COVID-19 necessitated changes to the typical process of disseminating IBCLC certificates. We understand that certificates are important to many of you, and we work to provide them in alignment with current health guidelines. Please check the Examination Resource Centre for updates about when certificates will be sent by post.

For those who recently became certified or recertified, there are other options to verify your certification status now, including:

• Logging into your online account and see your status under “My Credentials.” You can find directions to access your account here.
• Submitting a Certification Verification Form so we can provide your certification status to whomever you authorise.
• Searching by IBCLC Credential Number (L-#) in the updated Public Registry. 
• Contacting your region for a letter verifying your IBCLC certification status that can be provided to third parties.

There is an extraordinary circumstances policy which will provide for a deferral for health issues for you or your family, and this also specifically contemplates health issues related to COVID-19.  The policy does require that documentation be submitted.  Please review the Candidate Information Guide or Recertification Guide or contact your region with any questions.  

If your examination appointment is impacted due to site closures or state restrictions, you will receive an email notification informing you that your appointment has been cancelled with instructions for how to reschedule for a future date. No rescheduling fees will be applied. 

In light of the unprecedented situation, IBLCE quickly disseminated guidance via social media from the World Health Organization regarding COVID-19, particularly when WHO first declared COVID-19 a pandemic.   

As a credentialing organisation, IBLCE does not typically provide guidance to clinical questions.  If you have questions regarding COVID-19, you are encouraged, as set forth in the IBCLC guiding practice documents, to consult evidence-based information. 

You may also wish to contact a professional association. 

The March/April IBCLC examination administration is offered in English only.

The September 2023 IBCLC examination administration will be offered in all 17 IBLCE languages.

Beginning in 2024, the September IBCLC examination will be offered in the 10 most frequently administered examination languages:

• Chinese Traditional
• Danish
• English
• French
• German
• Italian
• Japanese
• Korean
• Portuguese
• Spanish

IBLCE’s revised strategic plan contemplates a strategic language policy as well as financial sustainability.  The World Health Organization, with a substantial budget, often makes its information available in just 6 languages, while the IBCLC examination is currently offered in 17.  Analysing longitudinal data over multiple years, there is relatively low demand for the examination in 7 languages, and given the extensive costs associated with the translation and publication of the examination into each language, IBLCE is transitioning, effective 2024, to focusing its efforts on the 10 most frequently administered examination languages/those which are financially sustainable.

This is a matter of equity to the global IBCLC community as well as good stewardship.  As the CE Self-Assessment is available in all 17 languages, current IBCLCs have a method to recertify with a number of cost-effective ways to earn continuing education.

The languages being discontinued for examination administration commencing in 2024 include Croatian, Dutch, Greek, Hungarian, Indonesian, Polish, and Slovenian. See data for candidates taking the examination to earn the credential for the last three years in these languages below. 

These languages have had low demand among initial test-takers for a number of years; the data provided above is for the last three years.

This decision has been made objectively, on the basis of data and sustainability.

No, what this means is that at present, the second administration of 2023 will be the last year the IBCLC examination will be offered in these languages.  Moving forward, for the IBCLC examination to be translated into a language, whether new languages or those currently being discontinued, the requirements of the Translation of the IBCLC Examination into a Language Policy must be met if there is not a history of an examination language meeting threshold sustainability metrics.  This is fair, objective, and financially responsible.

IBLCE and the IBCLC Commission will continue to provide information in these languages on their websites and in the IBLCE Briefings.  IBLCE intends to maintain its current network of Coordinators.  Effective for those recertifying in 2024, IBCLCs in these languages will need to recertify by CE Self-Assessment and continuing education.  For examination translation into one of these languages or any new languages, the requirements set forth in the Translation of the IBCLC Examination into a Language Policy must be met inclusive of necessary lead time for examination translation.

After reviewing the Translation of the IBCLC Examination into a Language Policy, please reach out to the regional location which serves you.